We Remember
Grindlay, Barbara
January 18, 2025 — January 1, 1970
Barbara Grindlay (nee Barbara Agnes Jean Middleton), 79, passed away on December 9th, 2012. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Andrew, and their three children, Carol, Anne and David, as well as their grandsons, Nicholas and Flynn.
Barbara lived a life full of love and compassion. She grew up on a farm near Clinton, Ontario, the second youngest of the Middleton clan of 7 siblings. She loved flower arranging and was a member and President of the London Garden Club and The Garden Clubs of Ontario. She won many international awards for her flower arrangements and was a certified judge. She also enjoyed world travel and literature. From her days as a teacher at Lady Beck Public School in London, she continued her passion for helping children to read through her volunteer efforts. She will be remembered for her joyful nature and her kindness towards others. We miss you Mom.
Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, December 15th at 10:00 am at the Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna. Another memorial service will be held near Clinton, Ontario, at a later date. All welcome who knew Barbara.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the charity of your choice.
Service
Saturday, December 15th at 10:00 am
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
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Service Information
Service Details
The service for Grindlay, Barbara is scheduled for Saturday, December 15th at 10:00 am. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences are sent to Andrew Grindlay and family for the loss of Barbara.
Barbara was a respected and valued member of the Volunteer Team at the Westside Health Network Society located in Westbank serving seniors in the area for many years.
She will be sadly missed.
from
The Volunteers and Staff at the Westside Health Network Society
It is with great shock and extreme sadness that we learn of the sudden death of our beloved Auntie Barb. Our hearts go out to Uncle Andy and cousins Carol, Annie and David and their families.
Our children Kate and Madeline felt a special bond with their great Aunt Barb, in part, because she reminded them so much of their Grandma. She was wonderful with children and had a calming and loving touch that immediately settled any child. And she knew so well what kids like to eat and was the first to get our rather sensitive Maddy as a young girl to expand her palate. Maddy has always tried to re-create her rice pilaf. For an extra special treat we make her decadent Skor-bar, mousse and whipped-cream dessert.
Our thoughts are with you and while we cannot make the funeral this weekend, we hope to make the Clinton Memorial.
All our love,
Anne Mullens, Keith Baldrey, Kate and Madeline Baldrey, Victoria BC.
Dear Andrew and Family,
We were so very shocked and sorry to hear about Barbara’s sudden death. We will be away and unable to attend the service, but our thoughts and memories of this lovely lady are with you.
Mr. Grindlay, Carol, Anne and David. My condolences to all of you and your family. Your mother was a lovely lady and I have very fond memories of her when going to your home in London. She was always welcoming and always interested in you, as a person. Enjoy the wonderful memories you have of your wife, mother and grandmother, they will be with you forever and stay in your hearts….
With sympathy, Erin Jones
Dear Andrew and family
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your Barbara whom we saw at every fall gathering of Business faculty over more than 35 years at Western. We always enjoyed Barbara’s upbeat conversation and her great skill in flower arranging. – Rosemary and Ken
Don and I extend our sincere condolences on the loss of ‘Barbara’, a truly great lady. She was and continues to be an inspiration to all.
Betty & Don Hill
We had such a good chat when Barbara and Andrew visited the Garden Club of London this summer.Barbara was a good friend and will be sadly missed My thoughts are with you Andrew and the family Margaret Miller
Uncle Andy,Carol,Anne and David
We were completely shocked and saddened by the news of Auntie Barb’s
passing.Auntie Barb always had such a genuine interest in how things were
going with our family.She new that both our boys had chosen careers in
the fine arts, writing and visual.
Her words of support were:
“Well David
Peter and Nicholas have tough roads ahead of them.
Always remind them!
The world would be a sad place without The Arts.
Going to really miss you Auntie Barb
Love Dave, Trudy, Peter and Nicholas Counter, Guelph Ontario
See you in Clinton next spring
For Barbara and her family:
What a special friend and wonderful lady who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her and her caring nature.
Rest in peace,
Ted and Diana Swart
Dear Andrew and family,
We are deeply saddened to have learned of the passing away of Barbara. It was just recently at the concert that we were congratulating her for her latest floral display: a tree this time, as another example of her extraordinary creative talent. She looked cheery as usual. You can imagine the shock hearing the tragic news.
Please accept our most sincere condolences. Courage, Andrew, and be strong.
Guy and Jacqueline Leclerc
It is with great sadness that we learned of Barbara’s death. It’s hard to believe she is not with us. You will miss her greatly as will so many others whose lives she touched. We will cherish many good memories of her and all your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Andy, Carol, Anne and David. Gwen Greene
Dear Andy, Carol, Anne and David
I’m so sorry to hear of the death of Barbara. She was such a special part of my childhood. I have so many warm memories of your home across the street in London, then later when you were up the street and also of the cottage. We enjoyed our visit with her several years ago as we were passing through Kelowna.
May she go on living in you and all your family in your hearts and minds; in your courage and consciences.
With love, Barb (Greene), Detlef, Erick and Eva Dransch
Dear Andy, Carol, Anne and David
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Barbara’s death.
We have many fond memories of our times together. She touched our lives for so many years as she will have touched so many others. We will all miss her very much.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Andy, Carol, Anne and David.
Gwen Greene
Andy – we are saddened to hear of your loss of Barbara – our condolences and prayers.
How grateful we are for the wonderful time we had together in London in September.
Dear Andy and children:
So sorry to hear of Barb’s passing…you will miss her and her happy approach to everything. I am out of town so cannot be with you.
All best wishes,
Carol Johnston
Dear Andy,Carol, Anne & David:
We were shocked to hear about Barbara’s passing. She was a very special lady, who touched many lives.
We were so thankful that we got to see both of you in September.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this difficult time.
Russ and Dallas Knight
It is difficult to fully express my shock and sadness at Auntie Barb’s passing. She is still so very much alive in my heart and mind; it all seems like a bad dream. We have lost one of the finest people I have known, and it hurts deeply. Auntie Barb was kind, loving, thoughtful, creative, and truly inspirational; I’ll always remember that ready smile and the strong but gentle spirit that enabled her to see the best in every person and situation. As many images of her now play through my memory, I fondly recall the ring of her laugh, her evergreen enthusiasm, and the genuine caring for others that shone through so brightly. This, to me, is her greatest legacy. Above all, she inspired me with her unadorned goodness and modesty.
Barbara is watching over us now, and I believe she would not want our feeling of loss to prevail over our ability to live well and fully, but grieve we must, and miss her greatly we do.
May our many fond memories of her eventually displace the tremendous pain that we feel. Peace to you, Uncle Andy, Carol, Anne, and David, and to the many others affected by the passing of this noble and gentle soul.
Dear Anne and family,
I was saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. Someone in London emailed me the news.
I have such vivid and wonderful memories of your Mom from all the time we all spent at your house when we were kids. My Mom and I still talk about what great spice cake your Mom used to make over the holidays.
Please know I am thinking of you and the family at this most difficult time.
Take good care,
Marilyn
Andrew and family, I was very sad to hear of Barbara’s passing. She was such a lovely person full of caring and grace. I hope knowing how much she was loved by so many people will be of some comfort at this difficult time. My thoughts will be with you today and in your time of grief. Love, Linda. Trish, my daughter, sends her sympathies, and remembers Barbara fondly.
Andy:
Jeanne and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to you on the loss of your wife, Barbara.
Bill and Jeanne Brown
Andy, my heart goes out to you and the family.I was shocked to read of Barbara’s sudden death and send my sincere sympathy, love and understanding to you all.Barbara was a very special person and I shall always remember her kindness to me and the family.
Dear Mr. Grinlay & Family, My Mother Maddie Sherriff and Barbara were great friends at the Garden Club of London and I had the opportunity to chat with her at various Garden Club functions. I was sorry to hear of her passing and wish to send my sincerely condolences.
So sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. A lovely lady with many talents and always willing to share her knowledge with anyone who asked. That warm and welcoming smile will be missed by her many friends at Judges’ Council of Ontario
My sincere condolences to all of you.
It is with deep sadness and disbelief that I send our sincere condolences to Uncle Andy, Carol Anne and Dave.
Auntie Barb will be forever young in my mind and my heart. A kind and gentle soul,indicative of the Middleton clan. A mentor to her many nieces and always the gracious hostess at the many many Middleton picnics at the Grindley cottage on the shores of Lake Huron.
I look at her obit photo and can not believe we have lost our beloved Auntie Barb. She will be missed terribly.
Hugs to all on the west coast.
Love Cindy
Andrew, Ray and I would like to extend our condolences to you and your family. Barbara and yourself welcomed us to Doucette Ave. and introduced us to many good people at Probus.I enjoyed several of her flower arranging seminars and visiting your garden.
Dear Andy, Carol, Anne and David
Our condolences to you all at this most difficult time. We were shocked and saddened to hear about Barbara’s sudden death, she had such warmth and energy. Barbara was a wonderful host to us in 2009 and we so much enjoyed your visit this time last year. We will miss her very much and our thoughts are with you.
Andy and Family – We were saddened to hear Barbara had died. We have fond memories of
the time spent with her when you were in London for the Western Homecoming in September. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Dear Andrew and family,
We are so sorry to read about the loss of Barbara. In the many years that our careers at Western overlapped, she was a real inspiration to younger faculty and their spouses, and a wonderful citizen of London. She was a vital part of the community of Western Business School.
Our very best wishes at a most difficult time.
Terry and Barb
Anne and Family – I was so very sorry to read the news about your mum. My heart goes out to all of you. Your mum was such a lovely lady and I have many fond memories of our chats in your kitchen. She was always there with a smile. Thoughts and prayers to all of you. Stacy Widdrington and Bill Belgue.
It’s 10 o’clock in the morning on Saturday, and many tears will be shed. I am unable to be at Barbara’s memorial service but I will be there in spirit. Barbara and I have been friends over a lifetime. We first met many years ago while we were students at Clinton Collegiate. I was later honoured to be one of Barbara’s bridesmaids. Barb and I have lived far apart over the years but our strong connection has never wavered. I am feeling very sad today and send my heartfelt sympathy to her dear husband Andy, and her children, now mourning her loss.
Diana (Speaight) Pilsworth, Kanata, Ontario.
Dear Andy, Carol, Anne and David
My thoughts are with you at this time of grieving.
Barbara and I spent many happy times together as members of The Garden Club of London.
I remember fondly waking early in Williamsburg Virginia and touring the gardens together before anyone was about.
She will be sorely missed.
Sincerely Judy Brown
Dear Uncle Andy, Carol, Anne, David, Nicholas and Flynn
We were very shocked and grieved to hear of Auntie Barbaras passing. She was such a lovely, understanding and caring person and so good to everyone.
Her love of teaching extended to my family (she taught Evan how to read comics).
Our thoughts and prayers are with you this morning at 10:00.
We will miss Auntie Barbara very much.
Margaret, Eric, Cara, Evan Rogers
Dear Andy,
I was shocked and sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. I had lunch with her in the summer of 2011 to renew old times and friendships – it was wonderful. Life is never the same when a loved one passes… I’m sure your children will be a great comfort to you at this time.
Andy and family,
I was so shocked to see Barbara’s obituary in the paper today — after the service so I was unable to attend. My deepest sympathies. It seems unreal when I was chatting with her at the last symphony concert, just a few days ago.
Barbara is the subject of one of my best “small world” stories: the year we moved to West Kelowna from Ontario, she heard my name and town on the radio in reference to my former bell choir in Ontario, a member of which was a friend of hers. She went to the bother of contacting our mutual friend, getting my address here, and reaching out to a new arrival who didn’t know many people and was missing her Ontario friends. I was incredibly touched by her generous and caring spirit. The world is a poorer place for her loss; you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Nikki Attwell
Dear Mr. Grindlay, Carol, Anne and David
We were sad to hear about Mrs. Grindlay’s passing. Mom and Dad enjoyed your visit over the summer and they said that she looked so good. She was such a warm-hearted lady and she will certainly be remembered with respect. We wish you peace and strength at this time. From The Cloudts
Dear Andy,
We were very sorry to read that Barbara had passed away last week. It was so nice to chat with her during the Ivey reunion last September. We will miss her. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Betsy and Norm Alexander
Dear Andy, Carol, Anne and David,
I am so sad to hear about Barbara’s death. I have so many memories of her when we were growing up. She made your home a welcome place for all us neighbourhood kids. My condolences go out to all of you.
To the Grindlay Family
My deep condolences to all of you on the loss of Barbara, and with special sympathy to my old friend and roommate Carol on the loss of your mother. I still fondly remember traveling through the snow to London to celebrate your birthday, the very warm welcome offered by your family, and the delicious, special roast beef dinner that your mother prepared for us.
May your strength as a family help you through this time of loss and sadness.
Christine Ektvedt